The closing paragraph of the above, like other words already quoted, clearly implies that Hübmaier was subjected to torture during his imprisonment at Zürich, and a statement of Faber's confirms this view of the case.[1] Nevertheless, Faber might have been wrong, and the admirers of Zwingli have been loath to admit the validity of the inference one would naturally draw from Hübmaier's words.
The affair has been put beyond the possibility of doubt, however, by the publication of a letter previously unknown:
"The next day, [says Zwingli,] he was thrust back into prison and tortured. It is clear the man had become a sport of demons, so he recanted not frankly as he had promised; nay, he said he entertained no other opinions than those taught by me, execrated the error and obstinacy of the Catabaptists, repeated this three times when stretched upon the rack, and bewailed his misery and the wrath of God which in this affair was so unkind."[2]
- ↑ Quoted by Loserth, Beilage, No. 10.
- ↑ The callousness with which Zwingli records this treatment of his former friend is striking. There are other similar cases in his writings. For the letter, see Jackson, Huldreich Zwingli, p. 250.
changes have been made by the author of this biography, who therefore takes full responsibility for it, while thus making his acknowledgment of indebtedness to his former teacher and present much-valued friend.
